Is it possible to soundproof an apartment door? Yes, it is possible to soundproof an apartment door. There are a variety of ways to do this, and the best method will vary depending on the specific situation.
There are many reasons why you might want to soundproof a door. Maybe you work from home and need to keep noise from the outside world from disrupting your concentration.
Or perhaps you have young children who like to play music or watch TV loudly, and you want to be able to enjoy some peace and quiet in your own home.
Soundproofing an apartment door can also be helpful if you live in an apartment or condo and need to reduce noise coming from your neighbors.
Most rental agreements don’t allow structural changes, and any change would see you sued or kicked out of the apartment.
On the other hand, most of the effective soundproofing methods require structural changes to some extent.
And for this reason, soundproofing an apartment door must only involve soundproofing methods that don’t interfere with its structure.
Ways on How to Soundproof an Apartment Door
1. Soundproof blanket
Soundproof blanket is a kind of acoustic material, which can be used to block the noise and make the space quieter.
They are made of special materials such as cotton, polyester, fiberglass and so on and has good sound absorption performance.
The thicker and denser the blanket, the better the soundproofing effect. The most common soundproof blankets on the market are made of polyester or fiberglass.
Polyester blankets are cheaper than other materials, but they are not as effective in blocking sound. Fiberglass blankets are more expensive, but they are better at blocking sound. If you want the best soundproofing possible, you can use a combination of both materials.
Soundproof blankets can be used in a variety of settings, such as:
– To block noise from outside the home, such as construction noise or traffic noise
– block noise from inside the home, such as loud music or television
– Create a quiet space for work or study
– To reduce echo in a room with hard surfaces
The blankets are easy to install and don’t require any skill or experience. What you have to do is hang the blanket onto the hooks on the door.
Hanging them allows you to easily remove them anytime you don’t require them or when relocating to another apartment.
2. Seal all the gaps and cracks
Cracks and gaps in your door are the main entry of noise into your house. Covering the gaps on your apartment door is affordable and requires less time to complete.
Sometimes identifying the gaps can be hard; the best time to locate them is at night when the lights in the room are off.
Request someone to hold a light on the opposite side of the closed door; if the door has gaps, you will see some light passing through them.
The process is easy and takes less time. Ensure you use airtight sealants since they are the best when it comes to sound deadening.
The sealant is paintable so that you can paint one with the same color as your door.
For large gaps, use Great Stuff Big Gap Filler, and for smaller gaps, you can use Red Devil Small Gap Foam.
3. Weather Strip Tape
Weather strip tape is a type of adhesive tape that is used to seal gaps and cracks in doors and windows.
This type of tape is typically made from PVC or rubber, and it has a self-adhesive backing that makes it easy to apply.
It’s an inexpensive way to improve the energy efficiency of your home, and it can also help to keep out drafts and unwanted pests.
Weather strip tape is available in a variety of widths and thicknesses, so you can find the perfect size for your doors and windows.
It is important to measure the gaps around your doors before purchasing weather strip tape, so you will know how much to buy.
It is meant to keep away dirt and dust, but it also works well when it comes to sound-absorbing. Some neighbors have used the tape and worked well for them.
You can use Duck Brand Self Adhesive Foam Weatherstrip Seal for Small gaps
When installing the tape, ensure that you compress it well so that the airtight seal is formed between the tape and the door.
4. Using a Door Sweep
Door sweeps are made of simple sound-deadening materials that help seal the space after closing the door.
It may take several hours for it to get fully installed since they are not easy to install compared to weather strip tapes.
One of the best door sweeps in amazon is DB006 Commercial Grade Door Sweep. While installing, you will have to drill then screw the sweep’s fastener into your door. Apart from blocking sound, a door sweep also keeps dust and insects away.
5. Using a Door Gasket
A door gasket is a weatherstripping device used to seal the space between a door and its frame. Door gaskets are made from a variety of materials, including rubber, foam, metal, and plastic.
They are an important part of the overall energy efficiency of a building as they help to prevent air leakage. In some cases, door gaskets can also help to reduce noise levels.
There are a few things to consider when selecting a door gasket, such as the type of door, the climate, and the level of traffic.
For example, garage doors are subject to larger temperature swings and more moisture than entry doors, so they require a different type of gasket.
In general, metal-to-metal contact gaskets are best for high-traffic doors, while foam or rubber gaskets are better for low-traffic doors.
6. Use of a rug
You may opt to place a rug on the doorway to help absorb the noise coming from the other side. A rug gives a beautiful visual appeal to your room.
Heavy rugs are the best since they help deaden echoes and minimize impact sounds. If the sounds are too much, you can place rugs on both sides of the door to help reduce sounds that bounce off the door.
Safavieh Hudson Shag Collection is one of the best rugs since it has an extra thick layer, and it is made of polypropylene fibers, which making it sturdy and durable.
You can combine rugs with another method for better results. The best thing is that you don’t need to install it you buy and place it in your area of interest.
7. Sound-absorbing Foam Panels
Foam panels reduce noise by increasing air resistance, which reduces the strength of the sound waves. If the fiber glasses are too costly for you can opt to use foam panels.
They are available in different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Installation involves hanging them on the door, just like the fiberglass blanket. Consider using command strips to hang since nails might damage the door.
8. Use soundproofing Curtains
Soundproof curtain is an effective way to reduce noise. It is made of thick material that can block out noise.
The curtains are also often lined with a sound-absorbing material, such as insulation, to further reduce noise.
In addition, they are available in a variety of colors and styles to match any decor.
Soundproof curtains can be hung over windows to reduce noise from outside. They can also be hung over doorways to reduce noise from inside the home.
The curtains block the sounds that enter through the doorway. Installation involves first installing curtain rods just above the door frame.
There is a variety of soundproof curtains in the market, and they come in different colors and designs.
9. Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass loaded vinyl is a soundproofing material that can be used to improve the acoustic properties of a room.
It is made from a dense, flexible PVC material and is available in a variety of thicknesses. Mass loaded vinyl can be used to line walls, floors, ceilings, or any other surface that needs soundproofing.
It is easy to install and is an effective way to reduce noise levels in a room.
10. Purchase a new solid door
Buying a new solid door is the most expensive method compared to the ones above.
Hollow doors are light, and amplifiers sound while a solid door is thicker and instead of amplifying sound, it dampens it. Once you purchase it, you will notice the difference.
If you enough capital to invest in soundproofing, then this is the best option to go for. The doors are made of acoustic door material mainly used in the music industry to ensure no noise reaches outside.
You may have to call a professional to install the door for you since the process is not very easy and requires some skills.
On How to Soundproof an Apartment Door
From the above methods, it is clear that some can be cheap while others are expensive. If you don’t have a lot of capital, you can choose a method that will not make suits you. First, you have to identify the amount of noise you wish to reduce.
For amazing results, you can combine two of the above methods. I hope that you have learned some tips on how to dampen sound passing through your doorway.
Sources:
https://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/blog/how-to-install-a-door-seal-kit-soundproofing-doors/
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.